Enterprising city dwellers are bursting from their pre-packaged lives and taking back their choices for consumption. Urban farms foster community and healthy eating beneath towering city blocks, where fast and easy often supersede fresh and home-grown. Like SF’s own Alemany Farm and Hayes Valley Farm, these urban crop spaces allow neighbors to trade their Swingline staplers for pitchforks and break new ground. Fresh, organic veggies are grown and sold, and the locavore food economy is epitomized. What’s the appeal of throwing away the chain grocery store for the neighborhood till? Come hear from local leaders of the movement like Novella Carpenter, founder of Oakland’s Ghost Town Farm, and trailblazing San Franciscans Jason Mark, of Alemany Farm, Christopher Burley, founder of Hayes Valley Farm, and David Gavrich, "goat whisperer" and founder of City Grazing. They’ll discuss the urban farming movement's place in the world of organic, local-grown culture, and how they’re bringing the farm to the city - goats included!

Location: SF Club OfficeTime: 6 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. networking receptionCost: $12 members, $20 non-members, $7 students (with valid ID)Buy the Book: Purchase Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter from The Commonwealth Club's book store. If you purchase an item fewer than 5 business days before the event, it will be available for pickup at the Commonwealth Club offices on the day of the event. If you purchase it more than 5 days before the event, the book will be sent to your address.Also know: Photo by Flickr user cjmartin. Food and wine sponsored by Mission Pie, Bella Viva Orchards, Back to Earth Catering and wine from Russian River Vineyards.